Hoop-rolling device



J. S. WHALEY.

HOUPROLLING DEVICE.

APPLICATION man APR. 7; 1920.

Patnted De0.14,1920.

//V//[/V70/P James J 31/ W Ego/m r! UNITED STATES JAMES S. WHALEY, OF DOVER, OHIO.

HOOP-ROLLING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 14, 1920.

Application filed April 7, 1920. Serial No. 372,033.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that 1, JAMES S. l/VHALEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dover, in the county of Tuscarawas and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Hoop-Rolling Device, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to hoop rolling devices and more particularly to a device for putting the hoop into motion and for propelling and guiding the hoop after it has been put into motion.

The objects-of the invention are the provision of a hoop stick or rod provided with a longitudinal groove arranged to receive a portion of the periphery of the hoop, a catch being provided for holding the hoop within the said groove and for releasing the hoop to put the same into motion, fingers being provided upon the end of said stick for guiding or propelling the hoop, a hook being provided upon said stick by means of which said hoop may be picked up while in motion.

With these objects in view the invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts, hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportions, size and minor details of construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

The invention thus set forth in general terms is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the hoop rolling device embodying the invention showing a hoop mounted thereon.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view through the device showing the catch for holding and releasing the hoop; and

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the catch.

A practical embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of thisspecification in which similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The device comprises the stick or rod 1 which is preferably rectangular in cross section and slightly curved upwardly at its rear end as shown at 2 in order to more readily assume the proper angle when held in the hand of the operator.

This stick or rod 1 is provided in its upper face with a longitudinal groove 3 of suitable width to receive the hoop at. A catch 5 is provided upon the stick for the purpose of holding the hoop in position within the groove or channel therein as shown in F ig. 1 and arranged to be operated to release the hoop when it is desired to put the same into motion. This catch is preferably formed from a strip of metal best shown in Fig. 3 and is provided with the aperture 6 through which a screw 7 or the like is located, serving as a pivot for the catch. The forward end of the catch is bent outwardly at right angles to a point beyond the side edge of the stick 1 as shown at 8 and then bent upwardly at right angles as at 9 and inwardly as at 10, projecting over the channel 3, the vertical portion 9 normally resting against the adjacent side of the stick 1.

The rear end of the catch is bent outwardly as shown at 11 and upwardly at right angles as shown at 12, a spring 13 which is connected in any suitable manner to the side of the stick engaging the portion 12 of the catch and holding the inwardly disposed portion 10 thereof normally across the channel 3.

At the forward end of the stick 1 is pro vided a pair of oppositely disposed outwardly and upwardly curved fingers 14c to be used in propelling and guiding the hoop after it has been put into motion and a down-turned hook 15 is provided at the forward extremity of the stick for the purpose of picking up the hook while in motion.

In operating the device the hoop is placed in position in the channel 3 of the stick and retained therein by the catch 5, the stick being inclined at an angle as shown in Fig. 1. By pressing the portion 12 of the catch toward the stick, the portion 10 thereof will be withdrawn from engagement with the hoop allowing the same to roll down the inclined groove and upon the floor or ground. The motion of the hoop is continued by propelling or guiding the same with the stick 1, the fingers 14 engaging the periphery of the hoop. v

Although the drawings and above specification disclose the best mode in which I have contemplated embodying my invention I desire to be not limited to the details of such disclosure, for, in the further practical application of my invention, many changes in form and construction may be made, as. circumstances require or experience sug stick provided with a finger normally exgests, without departing from the spirit of the invention, Within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim 1. A device of the character described. comprising a stick having a longitudinal groove in its upper face arranged to receive a hoop, means for retaining the hoop Within the groove and meansfor releasing the hoop from the groove.

' 2. A device of the character described comprising a stick having a longitudinal groove in its face arranged to receive a hoop, a catch upon said stick andnormally engaging the hook to retain the hoop within the groove and means for releasing the catch to release the hoop to allow the same to roll through the groove.

3. A device, of the character described, comprising a stick provided with a longitudinal groove in its upper face arranged to receive a hoop, a catch pivoted upon the tending across the groove, and means for op erating said catch to Withdraw said finger from over said groove.

4. A device of the character described, comprising'a stick provided With a longitudinal groove in its upper face arranged to receive a hoop,'means for retaining the hoop upon the stick and for releasing the hoop from the stick, curved guide fingers near one end for guiding the hoop While in motion and a hook at the end of the stick for picking up the hoop when in motion.

Intestimony that I claim the above, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JAMES S. XVHALEYQ 

